The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Narrowing bumpers

What material are the OE bumpers made of?

Has anyone narrowed one? In particular the rear. I never have liked how the AD rear bumpers hang way out into no man's land.

I'd be willing to bet that it's just plain old american steel. I doubt it'd be difficult at all to narrow it if that's what you want to do. If it's chromed buff off the chrome with a flap wheel, cut out a section in the center and weld her back up. Make sure you get good penetration on your weld and I'm sure it will be fine. Bumpers are typically pretty heavy steel so it should be easy.
Keep in mind if you cut out a section in the center and bring them together, the mounting holes will be brought in as well, so you might need to do some changes to the mounting brackets our drill out new holes in the bumper.

Thanks, for the info. It's a painted bumper, so no chrome to worried about, unless it's underneath. I'm not too worried about mounting holes. I would also like to move it in closer to the truck. So some different mounts would be in order.
Mine's a 54 , so I have the center notch for the license plate. To make it look right, I guess it would need sectioned in 2 places. I'm also thinking of flipping it over so the notch is at the bottom.

Anyhow, just some thoughts.

I’m not sure, but would guess they’re made of similar steel to leaf springs, and tempered

I think Grigg is correct. When the Prius backed into my right front bumper of my '51 AD, the bumper went into the fender and dented it. The bumper itself, other than scuffing the paint, was undamaged. Thus, I believe it is spring steel.

Kent

I have been in possession of many AD bumpers of varying degrees of condition and finish and I don't recall ever seeing a bent one.
I have removed a front bumper which had been mounted in the rear and when it came free, it nearly shot me across the yard! So yes, I assume that they are spring steel to some degree.

I have a bent one.

Anyhow, on another forum, someone claimed they were all stainless. I didn’t think that was right. I kind of thought they may be more of a tempered or spring steel.

If I do go ahead with my idea, maybe a repop would be better to use.

I’ve heard that 1947 or 1948 were stainless, but haven’t seen any to know for sure.

Don't cut the bumper is my vote. Modify the brackets and tuck it up and in. The rear bumper has less curve than the front. Are you sure you have a rear bumper? The rear bumpers still hang down too low for my taste as well. I say tuck it.

Here is my bumper:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXk1dYOTh7nxXg0D2

My next AD will use a 54 bumper tucked up and back so as to utilize the license plate dip.

Bumpers are spring steel from at least 45 into 60-66 era.

Depends on the year and model.
We’re talking about 48-54 1/2 through 1 ton.

Note that 1 ton bumpers were 1/4” thick and smaller trucks were thinner.

Grigg is correct, it depends. I did a study of GM Heritage Center and this is what I get. Spring steel from at least 1945 into 60-66 era. Except big trucks had Carbon steel. (About 1.5T and up).

After awhile they stopped mentioning the material.

I stand corrected, didn't know this.